And Microwave was Invented

—— The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket——Like many great inventions, microwave ovens were an accidental discovery. During World War II, two scientists invented the magnetron, a tube that produces microwaves. Back in the 1950s, American electrical engineer Percy Spencer (1894–1970) was carrying out some experiments with a magnetron at the Raytheon Manufacturing Company where he worked. At that time, the main use for magnetrons was in radar: a way of using radio waves to help airplanes and ships find their way around in poor weather or darkness.

One day, Percy Spencer had a chocolate bar in his pocket when he switched on the magnetron. To his surprise, the bar quickly melted because of the heat the magnetron generated. This gave him the idea that a magnetron might be used to cook food. After successfully cooking some popcorn, he realized he could develop a microwave oven for cooking all types of food. Experiments showed that microwave heating could raise the internal temperature of many foods far more rapidly than a conventional oven.